In Syria, our humanitarian colleagues are concerned for the safety and protection of tens of thousands of people as fighting continues to be reported in several areas of northern rural Homs Governorate. The United Nations calls on all parties, and those with influence over them, to ensure protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, and to allow for safe, sustained and unimpeded humanitarian access to all in need.
In progress at UNHQ
Noon Briefings
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan is warning today that a surge in violent clashes in Unity, Jonglei and Central Equatoria States is having a devastating impact on thousands of civilians and on humanitarian agencies.
On Myanmar, our humanitarian colleagues tell us that the situation in Rakhine State remains extremely concerning. There are continued reports of departures from northern Rakhine, and some reports of threats and extortion against Muslim communities.
Today is World Malaria Day and on this occasion, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) recalls that every two minutes, a child dies of malaria. Although preventable and treatable, malaria remains a major public health problem and the number of cases worldwide is growing.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development launched an action plan to expand employment opportunities for refugees to help them integrate into their host communities from the very start and contribute to the local economy.
The Secretary-General’s Youth Envoy spoke to the Security Council today on the Progress Study on Youth, Peace and Security. She said the report points to two key issues needing attention: the growing mistrust from young generations towards formal political institutions, and the exclusion of young people from political, civic and economic life.
Drought hits the Sahel region hard, with more than 10 million people expected to need emergency food assistance, up from 7.1 million currently, if adequate assistance is not provided in time. Poor rains in 2017 are now deeply affecting parts of Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Senegal.
The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Iraq commended Kurdistan Region political parties and blocs for signing the Electoral Charter of Honour on 18 April in Erbil. He said that the Charter is essential to conducting the elections in a free, fair, impartial, transparent and credible manner.
More than 200 children were released by armed groups in South Sudan, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) announced today. They were among a series of arranged releases of almost 1,000 children over the coming months. About 19,000 children still serve in the ranks of armed forces and groups in the country.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees announced today that Chile had just acceded to the international conventions on statelessness. The Office commended the country’s commitment to promote the fundamental right to nationality.